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math centers

Each month I like to have a little review of all of the 2D shapes, so this information stays stuck in my students’ heads.

With that in mind, I designed two “Shapin’ Up With Santa” packets.

The first packet is a "print & go" Santa craft, where Santa's "body" is made up of a 2D shape; topped off by his head, complete with a beard, which is cut from a paper plate.

The 2nd packet includes a variety of games and activities that provide a fun way to review these 2D shapes: circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, rhombus, trapezoid, heart and star.

Both packets are perfect for that last week of school before vacation; particularly the quick, easy & super-fun games, which also work well for your Christmas party day too.

The packet includes patterns for the above shapes, so that children can make a “Shapely Santa” of their own.

Santa's paper plate beard is snipped along the ridges; then every other "tab" is bent up, which is wonderful fine motor practice, that will help strengthen those finger muscles, at the same time providing a cool 3D effect.

There are 3 hat "brim" options. Students can write the shape on Santa's hat, glue on the label, or use the pattern where children trace then write the word.

Use a red and green marker to show an AB-AB color pattern and add some extra pizzazz too.

Another quick, easy and fun way to jazz up Santa, is to pull apart a few cotton balls, then glue on a bit of "hair" for Santa.

Eyes and a mustache are a separate piece and simply glued on. Have a room helper pre-cut them to expedite assembly.

Another "finishing touch" that will add some 3D pop to your display, is to attach a white pom pom to the tip of Santa's hat. I use a glue dot.

As you can see by the photo, once students complete Santa's "head" they glue it to a red, 2D shape.

To help practice the “positional words” portion of the 2D shape standard, I’ve also included a “Christmas present” whole group, assessment game, as well.

The “Shapely Pokey” activity, is also super-fun and helps get the wiggles out.

The packet also includes shape posters and pocket chart cards to introduce your lesson.

For added reinforcement, try some of the activities from the "tip list" for how else to use the posters; such as playing the game "Catch the Claus".

My students actually beg to play this game at the end of the day.

I’ve also included a “Shapely Santa”bookmark for your students.

Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included several posters to add extra pizzazz, plus informational “tags” should you want your students to explain the attributes of their Shapely Santa.

You can hang these next to a child's "Shapely Santa" on you bulletin board.

The other Santa-themed packet which reinforces 2D shapes, is "Shapin' Up With Santa!" and includes a variety of games and other "print & go" activities.

There is an assortment of (12-on-a page) cards which can be used for “Memory Match” and “I Have; Who Has?” games.

I’ve included a 3-page “tip list” of ideas and other games you can use the cards for; such as: “Flip It”, “What’s Missing?” “Speed” “Who’s Got the Coal?” and “Kaboom!”

Games can be played independently or as a whole group, then put in your math center.

There are also 2 sets of black & white game cards, so that students can make a game of their own to take home for further reinforcement.

Game sheets like “I Spy a Shape” are a super-fun way to whole group assess. The same worksheet can be used 5 times!! Woo Hoo.

There are puzzles, dice and spinner games, as well as 2 graphing activities.

An emergent reader booklet, packed with Dolch words, also practices end punctuation, which can be done as a whole group or independent activity.

Children color the Santa, trace and write the shape words, trace and draw the shape, then cut and glue the matching shape to the empty box.

There are also a variety of worksheets which help practice a variety of standards, including two graphing extensions you can do as a whole group.

As you can see I'm all decked out. (Jingle all the way...) Not too good at taking selfies...

Wishing you a blessed day filled with lots of love, hugs and giggles galore.

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” -Dr. Seuss (From the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.)

I am so excited to share my latest place value craft that I just finished.

As you know, studying place value can be a bit tedious for some students, so I designed this "decorate a Christmas tree" craft, to put some “Woo Hoo!” into practicing place value.

Creating a super-cute PVT (Place Value Tree) is an especially fun activity for your students, and a nice alternative to worksheets; making it that “extra special something” you can do for the month of December.

Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable, and make an outstanding bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included 2 posters to help decorate.

You’re sure to get lots of compliments, as the results definitely have that “Wow!” factor, as mixing math concepts with an artistic twist is truly interesting.

The packet is very versatile, with lots of creative options for your students to choose from, which not only results in a nice variety of Christmas trees, but allows you to diversify your lessons.

A place value tree appeals to a variety of ages and abilities.

The versatility allows younger kiddos, as well as older students, to create a Christmas tree that will have a two, three or even 4-digit number value!

Keep things simple for little ones and limit the number of decorative pieces and options, while challenging older students to create a bigger value for their trees.

The sample on your right uses "ones" blocks for ornaments, with a tree trunk made out of two, "10s" rods; giving it a total value of just 32. Perfect for students working on two-digit numbers.

The sample on the left, has a value of 769. This tree has no trunk (However, there are 4 trunk options to choose from), while the 1st tree, at the beginning of my post, not only has a 100-block trunk, but a decorative tree stand pot as well. Notice the "holly berry" is a ones block.

A 10s rod can also be a fun decoration. Make them look like a peppermint stick, by coloring an AB-AB (red-white) color pattern with a red marker or crayon.

Check out the last sample tree at the end of this article, to see how I made a 10s rod look like a candlestick, with a ones block glued on diagonally, for a "flame".

I had an absolute blast designing my samples, so I can safely say, that I think your students will also have a great time making their own place value Christmas tree.

Thirteen tree patterns, 4 stars and 2 angel tree toppers to choose from; plus endless ways you can mix and match the ones, tens and hundreds block ornaments, provides a lot of variety to your classroom's creations, making for an awesome display.

Once children have finished their place value tree, they figure out how much it is “worth”.

Solving this “mystery math” problem is also a ton of fun.

I’ve provided several worksheet options that will help students figure this out, as they practice and reinforce the various concepts of place value.

I've put a worksheet next to the matching tree in the photographs below.

Choose which worksheets are most appropriate for your kiddos.

Each of the 3 is different enough, so that you can do all of them.

"Showing" their math of how they came up with their total, and explaining any conversions that they had to make, is a simple way to assess comprehension too.

The half-page worksheet on the left, is great for practicing a variety of math skills associated with place value.

Picking a partner and comparing their tree with a classmate's, provides practice with "greater, less than and equal to", math standards as well.

A worksheet can also be part of your display.

Students can write their total on the star or angel tree topper, or so that the place value really shows up, you can run off the 6 different elf tags, for children to write their name and the value of their tree on; placing the tag next to their Christmas tree on your bulletin board.

I've also included several present patterns, if you'd like to add some gifts under the tree.

These are decorated with a ones block in the bow, a 10s rod on the ribbon, or a 100s block as a gift tag.

The trees look pretty with a black, blue or purple, construction-paper background, with the gifts glued underneath.

There are also several whole-group activities for graphing, data collection and analysis as well.

Another idea is to have students work with a partner or create one PVT in a small group of three, which will divide up the work and expedite completion.

Here’s a fun challenge: Give the small group a total tree value, and see how close they can get to hitting that number.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a "Sweet Tweet"; which is an interesting and fun way for students to practice writing.

Students color, cut and glue the bird to the top of their writing prompt paper, then each day (for 10 days) they jot down (tweet) something sweet that they've done. (After all, Santa and the elves are watching & very interested in this information!)

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

'Tis the season for attending all sorts of activities, so time to go see the school Christmas play. Three of our 10 grandchildren are old enough to be in it this year.

Wishing you a delightful December, filled with many memorable and love-filled moments.

"Christmas, gives us time to pause and reflect on the most important things around us."-David Cameron

Besides number recognition the booklets also provide great fine motor practice while cutting & gluing.

Each booklet has a bit of a different shape, as they follow the contours of the numbers, which adds interest to their appearance, as well as provides “curved” cutting practice as well.

The assembly of each booklet is also simple, and is a great way to practice listening & following directions too.

For the inside pages, children trace and write the number & word, then color the group of that many things.

I include number wordsbecause even though I’m not teaching “reading” or number word recognition at this time, I’ve included it “on and in” the booklet, for several reasons.

At the same time we are learning numbers, children are also learning letters. Seeing them together helps kiddos differentiate the two.

Children will also realize that a number symbol has a word that’s also associated with it, and that those words, are made up of letters.

Even though children might not be able to correctly match up a word to a number yet, I’ve discovered that by continuously seeing numbers with their matching words, my students were successfully recognizing them later!

It’s sort of like being able to read the word Cheerios, or McDonalds simply because they are associating.

When everyone is done with their booklet, we “read” it together.

We count from 0 to that number, flash that many fingers, then clap each letter as we spell the word.

You can send each booklet home after your kiddos create it, or you can have children keep them in a 5x7 manila envelope.

Holding the envelope horizontally, I slit the top. Students seal the flap shut .

After they have colored the picture, they glue their worksheet on the front.

When we finish studying a number, children trace and write it, then tuck the booklet inside the envelope.

I also give my kiddos a "student number". This matches the alphabetical order of their first names; Anna, Bill, Bob etc.

Along with their name, they write this number on any work that I keep for folders, portfolios etc.

This way, students can assist me in filing "stuff", which I keep in tubs. This takes just a minute, and finding a student's work is a breeze.

Plus I never have piles of "need to file" papers all over the place!

Because students are tracing and writing the number on the front, I can also see at a glance, who was absent and is missing a number.

After we are done with the envelopes, I call for a number; as we all, slowly count out loud.

Number one student brings theirs up, then 2 and so on. Everything is now numerically filed and easy to accesss, in a plastic shoebox.

These are great to take out and share during parent-teacher conferences too.

Once all of our booklets are done, I have students sit on the floor and arrange them in order from 0-10, practicing the "sequencing" standard in a fun way.

The packet also includes a certificate of praise, as well as several “I Spy a Number” worksheets. This game is a super-fun way to whole group assess, while practicing number recognition.

One of the reasons I decided to do “Diane’s Dollar Deals” is because I love the feeling I get when I go into The Dollar Store and find all sorts of goodies for my classroom for just a dollar.

I excitedly pick something up and say “I can’t believe this is only a dollar!” then happily drop whatever in my cart.

I’m hoping to give you that same feeling when you purchase one of my dollar deals. They’re still the same high quality as my other “stuff”, but only a dollar.

* This 52-page number fun packetis my newest Dollar Deal creation and includes a set of large, colorful posters, as well as a smaller set with 2-on-a-page. Use them as anchor charts, a border, bulletin board or flashcards using them as an easy way to whole group assess too.

Print an extra set to use for an independent math center. Students can sequence the cards or sort them into odd & even piles.

You could also make an additional set, cut in half or in quarters for a puzzle center as well.

* I love when “stuff” matches in my room, so I made a set of little cards perfect for sequencing, sorting, or playing Memory Match or “I Have; Who Has?” games.

* The black and white “color me” booklet also matches. Students color the picture, then trace & write the numbers and number words, then circle the number in the sequence.

There are covers so that you can make a counting booklet from 0-10 or 0-20. You could also make two separate booklets for each set.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I love having a little workbook for my students.

It’s an easy-peasy Friday for me when students do a page in their various workbooks once a week. Everything’s kept in a folder which keeps things neat and organized.

Little workbooks are perfect for conferences, showing what we’re working on as well as improvement. Then at the end of the year, kiddos take home their folder and have a wonderful keepsake.

Today's featured FREEBIE is an apple math mat. There's addition on the front, and subtraction on the back. You can also show greater & less than equations.

The dice and manipulatives make things extra fun. Once you make a set, you'll have a super-fun math center you can use for years.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Two of my 9 grandchildren are coming over today, so it's time to put my Nana hat on and get ready for a fun-filled day.

Wishing you one as well. Filled with lots of hugs and giggles.

"Children are a living message sent to a time we will not see." - Neil Postman

Because my Young Fives absolutely love making and collecting “Itty Bitty” booklets, I designed a set for each individual number 0-10.

I call them Itty Bitty booklets because there are 4-pages on a one-page pattern, making this little book “just the right size” for small hands and pint-size attention spans.

The booklets are a real time saver for me, as once students have completed one, there’s no need to repeat directions. Children feel empowered and can get right down to business.

Cutting on the dashed lines helps strengthen finger muscles and dexterity, while collating their booklet practices sequencing and counting.

You can start with zero, or save that booklet as a little something to do on a “Zero the Hero” Day, as you count up to 100.

I’ve designed the pages in such a way, that you pick the pattern pages most appropriate for your students and “design your own” Itty Bitty booklets, this also makes it easy to diversify your lessons.

You can keep things very simple and make just the 3-page booklet with a cover, (first worksheet) or add as many of the other 9 page options you’d like.

The booklets are great for morning math, an independent math center, or homework, and work well for a math journal, interactive notebook or portfolio.

I've included a pocket as well as labels if your students have a math journal. During "Back To School" sales when supply stores are offering 15 cent notebooks as loss leaders, I stock up so my kiddos have a notebook for a variety of things.

Easy-peasy for me, fun for them, and everything's organized in one place. Notebooks are an excellent way to show progress at conferences and at the end of the year students have a nice keepsake.

Students color and tape the "pocket" to the inside of their math journal, then tuck their Itty Bitty booklets inside. You can also opt to put them in a small, manila envelope.

I've also used smaller envelopes that I buy at The Dollar Store. Students glue one to a section of their notebooks that feature work on that specific number, then tuck that Itty Bitty booklet at the bottom.

There’s enough variety so that you can also make extra booklets. For example, there are 2 “color me” pages which feature all of the numbers. One is a selection of cute "number people", the other depicts children holding a number.

Pick one for your initial Itty Bitty booklet, then make an extra “color me” booklet with the other pattern pages. Instead of featuring just one number, this Itty Bitty booklet would showcase all of them.

Since the pages are small, coloring is simplified and not overwhelming. My students often ask if they can do more than one page at a time.

Another idea for an extra booklet, is to make an “Amazing Numbers Maze Craze” booklet, featuring all of the number mazes. As with the color booklet, I’ve included a cover for this extra option.

The mazes would also make a fun math center. Laminate a set and have students complete the mazes with a dry erase marker.

These extra options are wonderful tucked in your sub tub, something for struggling students or early finishers.

Besides the booklets, I’ve also included a “Snap To It!” Snap or Unifix Cube math center activity, where children use one of the 2-on-a-page worksheets as a reference, while putting cubes together to make that number.

I have my kiddos count how many cubes they used.

A mini matching page is an option for their Itty Bitty booklets and has children working on patterning.

There's also a set of jigsaw number puzzles. Run the pattern off on 4 colors, laminate and trim.

Sort the puzzles so that each puzzle includes all four colors, then keep each one in a ZipLoc Baggie in your math center.

There's also a mini page option for students' Itty Bitty booklets.

Today's featuredFREEBIE is another way that my students enjoy practicing numbers and counting.

Since we study spiders in October, I thought it would be fun to design a craftivity, that would not only help reinforce the science fact that spiders are not insects, but arachnids because they have 8 legs, but also practice several of the math standards that we’re also working on.

Since a spider has two body segments (cephalothorax & abdomen) which look like the number 8, I created a number template. (Remember to grab that “teachable moment” to build vocabulary with these science terms.)

Students fold the pattern in half, cut on the bold lines, then open to reveal the spider’s number 8 body, which they glue 8 legs to. Because the number is cut on a fold it’s easy-peasy even for PK children!

The craft is versatile, as you can differentiate the “leg labels” (math skills) you want to practice.

Younger kiddos can simply make the spider, while kinder and 1st graders can practice tally marks, addition, subtraction, as well as greater & less than.

There's also a blank template, so older students can subtract larger numbers or show 8 with multiplication & division.

Are you learning time to the hour? You also have the option to include a clock face where students draw hands to show 8 O’Clock.

Since my students are also learning about fractions (whole, half, and quarters) I included a fraction pie too.

Use the pie pattern that’s cut into fourths then have students turn it into eighths by making an X in the center, or simply use the 8-piece pie pattern.

There's also a fraction poster that shows the various fractions, which will help you explain what you want your students to do.

Legs can lay flat, or they can be folded to add some 3D pop. Add a bit more pizzazz by suspending the spiders from the web pattern.

Completed projects make a terrific bulletin board or dangle them from the ceiling as a hallway-wall border.

I’ve included two “8 is Great!” posters to use for the center of your display, as well as a “Show Me Eight!”worksheet.

Today's featured FREEBIE is "Peek-a-Eeek!" a 2D, spider-themed shape booklet.

You can make just a copy for yourself and use it to review the basic 2D flat shapes with your students, or run off copies of the shapes and have students cut and glue them into a booklet of their own.

Well that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by.

I'm reading a pumpkin story for "orange day" at my grandson's preschool today, so time to add the finishing touches to my "splash of orange" outfit. (Orange nail polish and all!)

Because the story is all about this little mouse’s name, I like to transition my kiddos to some name writing activity afterwards.

These puzzles provide a super-fun way to do that, plus children get in some uppercase alphabet practice too.

They're a real “sanity saver” as children are happily engaged coloring, cutting, then putting their puzzle together. While they work independently you are freed up. Woo hoo!

The puzzles mix math with literacy, as they help practice sequencing numbers from 1-10, working on those toughie teen numbers, as well as skip counting by 10s.

Simply choose which number concept is most appropriate for your students.

For a fun back to school bulletin board, have children mount their puzzle to a sheet of construction paper leaving a little gap between each strip, which will create an interesting mosaic effect.

I’ve included 2 “ABC 1-2-3 Look Who’s In The Class With Me!” posters to use for the center of your display. (Plus preschool, kindergarten and 1st grade as well).

There’s also a colorful Chrysanthemum puzzle (1-10, 11-20, & counting by 10s) to use as an independent math center, plus an additional name writing worksheet where children finish drawing Chrysanthemum.

Finally, while I was putzing with this, another name activity popped in my head, so I created a quick, easy & fun "color, cut & glue" name craft, which provides wonderful fine motor practice, plus assists children in learning how to spell their name as they begin to recognize those letters.

Completed projects make a sweet back to school bulletin board too. Besides the name craft, the packet also includes:

* Separate upper & lowercase letter cards, as well as a set of cards with both the upper and lowercase letter on one card.

Use them for Memory Match and “I Have; Who Has?” games.

I’ve also included a 4-page tip list of other ideas for the cards, including the “Kaboom!” game as well as . . .

* A variety of letter worksheets plus… * Some simple letter games like "What Letter Did Chrysanthemum Hide Today?" and "What's Missing?", as well as several dice worksheet games.